Is in his 16th season at Boston College, his fourth as defensive coordinator; served as linebackers coach for nine seasons (2000-08) and defensive backs coach for three seasons (1994-96).

Came to Boston College in 2000 after serving as defensive backs coach at Pittsburgh for three seasons (1997-99).

McGovern's defenses at Boston College have ranked among the nation's top 26 in total defense in two of the last three seasons.

Under McGovern's guidance in 2010, Boston College led the nation in rushing defense (82.8 ypg) and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in total defense (309.7 ypg). It ranked 13th among national leaders in total defense, 19th in pass efficiency defense (113.3 ypg) and 19th in scoring defense (19.5 ppg).

In 2009, the Eagles' defense ranked second in the ACC - and 14th in the nation - in rushing defense (103.2 ypg). Boston College finished the season ranked 19th in the nation in scoring defense (19.8 ppg) and 26th in total defense (327.6 ypg).

Has guided two Boston College linebackers to Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year recognition in the last four seasons - Mark Herzlich (2008) and Luke Kuechly (2011).

Tutored two-time consensus All-America linebacker Luke Kuechly who earned the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the national defensive player of the year, the Butkus Award given to the nation's most outstanding linebacker, the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation's lineman or inside linebacker of the year and the Lott Impact Trophy given to the defensive player of the year as a junior in 2012.

In 2008, McGovern coached a linebackers' corps that was a key part of a defense that ranked fifth in the country and first in the ACC in total defense, allowing 286.14 yards per game. The BC defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in seven different categories including interceptions (first, 26), turnovers gained (second, 36), total defense (fifth, 286.14), red zone defense (sixth, .72), rush defense (seventh, 91.2), pass efficiency defense (seventh, 98.81) and first downs defense (sixth, 14.71).

In 2007, was part of a Boston College staff that led the Eagles to an 11-3 record (the first Eagle team to win 11 games since 1940). The Eagles began the season 8-0 and were ranked No. 2 in the nation in both major polls. The team won the Atlantic Division of the ACC and went on to win an eighth consecutive bowl game. The Eagles finished 10th in the final AP poll, the program's best finish since the 1984 season.

Was a four-year starter at defensive back at Holy Cross who set single-season (11) and career (24) record for interceptions for I-AA as a senior captain; earned consensus first-team All-America honors.